Scramble to fill spots

MATT NICHOLLS ways a challenge,” Norths skipper Chris Stanger said.

“We are looking a bit light on with about half a dozen players missing.

“Having said that, it will be an opportunity for a couple of young guys to get a taste of the top grade.”

Norths will travel to Innisfail this morning to take on new club Cassowary Coast before travelling back up the highway to play Mulgrave under lights at Walker Road.

“We’re going to be relying a lot on our spinners – we have about four in the side – so the likes of Sean Prior, Peter Beal and myself will probably bowl our full quota of overs,” Stanger said.

“We expect Cassowary Coast to come out firing in their first game.”

Stanger said the night game against Mulgrave could be tough for the bowlers.

“We played them there a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night and the pitch there was a belter,” he said.

Reigning premiers Atherton will also have to call on their depth after a mass exodus of talented stars in the off season.

Dan Parnell will lead the side at least until Christmas with Peter Sceresini down south on a teaching post.

“He should come back at Christmas and hopefully we are in a good position,” Parnell said.

“I will be looking to someone like Paul Nasser to step up and build on his great grand final last year, where he scored plenty of runs.”

Atherton has lost wicketkeeper and opening batsman Gerard Fox, who has moved to Weipa for work, while several other stars from last year’s side will also be missed.

“At the start of the season it’s all about filling sides and finding out who is in good touch and working from there,” Parnell said.

“I wouldn’t be judging any side too much from the first few games.”